New program to keep WVSU tuition costs from going up

A new tuition program at West Virginia State University will make sure what you pay as a freshman, is what you pay as a senior. (WCHS/WVAH)

INSTITUTE, WV (WCHS/WVAH) —

A new tuition program at West Virginia State University will make sure what you pay as a freshman, is what you pay as a senior.

“What can we do to help more West Virginians earn a college education?” WVSU President Anthony Jenkins said. “As I’ve talked to local principals, what I heard very consistently is that many students have the commitment and the desire to go to college, but they don't know if it's going to be beneficial from a financial standpoint.”

By freezing future students' tuition, the new WVSU Loyalty Program is designed to keep tuition consistently affordable throughout all four years.

It starts in high school. The student just has to take six semester credit hours through WVSU.

"That can be done in one semester. It can be done in the course of their senior year. It can be done in the student's junior year,” Jenkins said.

Upon graduation, students need to enroll as a full-time freshman student and take no less than 15 credit hours per semester.

South Charleston High School Principal Michael Arbogast is a WVSU alumnus and is confident this program will inspire more students to earn a college degree.

"We're trying to send a message to them to let them know you can go to college, and you can pass those classes, and now with what President Jenkins is doing, and I commend him and that board over there to be able to make this a reality for kids to have that opportunity,” Arbogast said.

As the parent of a soon-to-be high school graduate, Arbogast said if his son chooses to follow his footsteps and go to WVSU, he is grateful for this tuition freeze.

"I just think it's a fantastic opportunity. It's a win-win all the way around,” Arbogast said.

The first class of students to take advantage of this program will be the freshman class beginning fall 2018. Those students have the school year ahead to get that six credit hours in. All classes are taught at the students' high school.